Faith's Pov
The small room felt tense and uncomfortable, like a quiet before a big storm after the declaration l just made.
Then, the door creaked open.
My heart jumped into my throat. Astor. Just thinking his name sent shivers down my spine. Had he heard? Had he overheard that quiet, desperate thing I’d told my mother earlier? The secret I’d sworn no one would ever know? The secret that was a permanent mark on my future?
I held my breath, staring at the doorway. He stood there, a tall shadow against the dim light from the hallway. He looked… normal. No angry face, no narrowed eyes. Just a slight tilt of his head as he looked at us.
despite how uncomfortable the situation was I couldn't help the way I reacted just by his mere presence.
“Faith,” he said, his voice a low sound that se
